Dictators have dominated the headlines of late. Kim Jong-un left the world caught between a rock and a hard place in 2017 as we struggled to disagree with him on US president Donald Trump, while simultaneously rebuking him for his threats of nuclear war.

North Korea’s endless threats of nuclear war has left its neighbours somewhat rattled, but aside from generating amusing news headlines, the rest of the world doesn’t pay much attention to Kim Jong-un’s ramblings.

The Kim dynasty will long continue in North Korea, so long as the supreme leader keeps his hands to himself. Should Kim Jong-un reach for his red button, the rest of the world would be quick to respond.

Top attribute: Military might

Vladimir Putin

Some would say Russian dictator; others would say President of the Russian Federation.

What isn’t up for debate is that few other democratic leaders have the same level of power as Putin.

Opinions in Cuba vary. A 2015 poll found that 48% of Cubans hold a negative opinion of Castro.

However, with a government-controlled media empire that threatens journalists with three years in prison for talking out against the government, Castro will see his time as Cuban dictator through to the end… Not that the rest of the world really cares all that much.

Top attribute: Media control

Nicolás Maduro

Under Nicolás Maduro’s control, Venezuela has gone from a prosperous democracy to a poor dictatorship.

Maduro went to the polls with a 20 percent approval rating last October.

However, he left with the support of three quarters of voting states in Venezuela’s 2017 regional elections. Clearly not a case of rigged voting, the only explanation is that Maduro is a god among men, so loved by his nation that his power will never be taken away from him.

Given that the opposition have pulled out ahead of April’s presidential election, Maduro seems set to remain Venezuela’s supreme leader.

However, should Maduro somehow lose the election, at least he will have a reported $2 million bank balance to fall back on.

Top attribute: Level of worship (because the exit polls don’t lie)

Xi Jinping

China’s Communist Part leader Xi Jinping has recently confirmed his place in the dictator’s club. The China government has announced plans to do away with China’s current presidential term limits.

Current laws, created following the end of Mao Zedong’s dictatorship, state that Presidents can only lead for two terms.

Having entered office in 2013 and secured a second term, Xi Jinping will be ineligible to run after 2023. However, should the proposed changes go ahead, Reuters expects Xi Jinping to remain in office indefinitely.